4 Ways to Protect Your Home
There are several ways to protect your home from intruders. Anything from a simple sticker on the door to an expensive security system. I will go into detail on a number of different options that are available to you for all different budgets.
1. Placing a sticker on you door/window or a placard in your yard
By simply placing some kind of of sticker or a placard in plain sight saying you have an up-to-date security system will keep some would-be thieves out of your home. Even if you type up a letter and post it on you door saying that you have an active video system recording you home and surrounding area, that alone can make some people think twice.
2. Dollar store alarm
Your local dollar store may carry an alarm. It has two parts; one part that sticks to you wall and another part that sticks to the door or window. When the two parts of the alarm separate too far apart it goes off and makes the sound similar to a fire alarm. There is an on and off switch on the alarm. It is very easy to use and very cheap to purchase.
3. Buy a dog
If you are looking to protect your home you would want to buy a dog and not a puppy. An intruder is more likely to be afraid of a grown dog than a little puppy. A dog with some training is preferable, but not necessary. If you have children, you want to do some research before you purchase a dog. You don’t want to bring home a dog that is supposed to protect your home and find out that it is not good with children. The cost of a dog depends on where you purchase the dog. I would suggest checking out your local pound, that way you are also saving a life. Be careful of buying a dog online because you don’t know who you can trust and what you may get.
4. Buy a security system
There are several types of security systems available to you. SimpliSafe , ADT, and Vivint are just a few. Each company is a little different and I will tell you about the companies so you can get an idea about what might work for you.
SimpliSafe offers you security system packages that you purchase. The lowest price I was told over the phone was $200, but there are other packages available. The package included one door/window sensor and one motion detector. The system is sent to you in the mail and would in arrive in five to seven days with free shipping, unless you pay for another option to get it to you faster. You would pay a monthly fee of $15 for the service, which is also due at the time of purchase. There are no contracts and the service is wireless.
ADT does 36-month-leases and renters have to get written permission from the landlords permissions. After six months you start earning credit towards towards a new in the event you move. I called ADT and asked about packages specific for my home; two doors and three windows. I listed everything in the package the agent described to me, you would get the following things if you your home is similar to mine:
2 door sensor
1 wireless keypad
1 motion sensor
3 window sensors
1 yard placard
1 window sticker
2 wireless keychain remotes
carbon monoxide detector
Access to ADT monitoring apps on up to 10 devices (these alert you if someone breaks in when your away from your home)
This package costs $204 and includes installation. The monthly service fee for this package would be $47.99 and is due at installation.
Vivint is a little different from the SimpliSafe and ADT. While Vivint offers the standard package of
1 touchscreen panel (which you can use to talk to Vivint in an emergency)
3 door or windor sensors
1 motion detector
1 keychain remote
1 yard placard
Severe weather alerts
Customer wireless communication
Free applications
Vivint do have additional features available to protect your home against carbon monoxide and fire. Vivint also provides a sensor for broken windows as well as other features for your home other than home security. The installation fee is $99 DEPENDING on your credit score, you could pay more. I did not give them my information over the phone to find out if I qualified for the $99 installation fee. The monthly fee for this package is $49.99 and is due at the time of installation.
There are several other security systems available if one of these three do not sound like an option to you.
